St. Bernadette 8th Grade Independent Science Experiment

DUE DATES:

Student project contract January 26 [ 5 points ]

Science Project Proposal Form January 30th [ 10 points ]

Hypothesis, Materials List and Methods February 9th [ 10 points ]

Poster/props March 16th (Fair Date)

Completed Report March 17th [ 10 additional points for on-time turn in of complete report]

POINTS WILL BE REDUCED BY ½ FOR ONE DAY LATE – ZERO POINTS AFTER THAT.

Synonyms for INDEPENDENT

free – substantive – self-directed – self-sufficient

St. Bernadette 8th GradeIndependent Science ExperimentIn this project, you will design and conduct a controlled experiment of your own choosing, and report your findings. You will be following the steps of the scientific method that we’ve been studying this year. Your final project will be displayed on a tri-fold board. You will present the project at the St. Bernadette School Science Fair (date pending).

This will not be a competitive project. It will require an extended period of time to complete.We will be working on parts of it in school, but you must spend most of the time working independently on the project at home.

You will be responsible for supplying any materials you need to conduct your experiment, with the exception of certain limited materials that can be obtained from your teacher. There are specific rules you must follow to complete your project. You will be graded on how well you met each requirement during the process, as well as on the finished project. This project must be done by YOU. Parents may only provide materials and otherwise are not to assist. Questions should be directed to Mrs. Riazi.

St. Bernadette School 8th Grade Independent Science Project

Student Project Contract

Student AgreementI, _____________________, have read the science project description and agree to do my best to complete each part of my science project on time. I understand the dates on which the different parts of the project are due. I understand that the work on this project is to be MY OWN. My parents and others are to help me only with obtaining supplies. If I need help I will ask Mrs. Riazi.

_______________________ _________Student’s Signature Date

Parent or Guardian AgreementI agree to encourage my child’s completion of the independent science project by providing the materials they need. My child is doing an

experiment that he/she can do with complete independence. I am aware of the due dates for each part of the project.

_______________________ _________Parent or Guardian’s Signature Date

HOW TO CONDUCT A CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT

We have practiced conducting controlled experiments several times in class. Now it is your turn. First you need to form a purpose – what question do you want to answer with your experiment? Are you able to identify an independent variable that you can manipulate to answer your question? If yes, then what is your dependent variable, meaning, what are you going to measure and how will you do it? Have you thought through all other variables that will need to be held constant so ONLY your independent variable is being tested? Many controlled experiments need a control group – a standard of comparison – in order to be sure your independent variable is responsible for your results. Carefully think through what the control group should be for your experiment.

Below is an example of a controlled experiment (no, you may not do this one – find your own!)

PURPOSE: Does the use of house plant fertilizer on spider plants increase the number of plantlets formed on the parent plant?

HYPOTHESIS: If the number of plantlets is related to the regular use of house plant fertilizer, then fertilized spider plants will have more plantlets than non-fertilized spider plants.

The independent variable will be whether fertilizer is used. The dependent variable will be the number of plantlets. All other variables and conditions must stay the same. That means the following:

1. All plants must be about the same size and have the same number of plantlets at the beginning of the experiment.2. All plants must be planted in the same sized pots with similar soil.3. All plants must receive exactly the same amount of water, light and be at the same temperature.5. At least three plants will be in the experimental group (receiving fertilizer) and the same number in the control group (plants not receiving fertilizer).7. I will need to start this project immediately so there is enough time for the plant to respond to the use of fertilizer – this may require research before committing to this experiment.

Selecting a TopicInvestigations involving physics, chemistry or biology are strongly preferred by your teacher.

Your teacher MUST approve your experiment – see the SCIENCE PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM

Remember that your project is an INVESTIGATION, not a model. An investigation seeks to answer a question, uses the scientific method to reach a conclusion, and requires research and planning. A model does not utilize the scientific method or reach a conclusion (examples of models: the solar system or a volcano).

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE PROJECT IS AT THE 8TH GRADE LEVEL?

Ask yourself the following:

1. Can I do it completely by myself, meaning without my parents or anyone else having to help me?

2. Could an elementary school student do this project by his/herself? If yes, than it may be too easy.

3. Am I able to get all the needed supplies to do this project?

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT RESOURCES

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

Public Library – The kid’s section of the library has many books on conducting an independent science experiment – find them in the science section. Examples include:

What You May NOT Do for a Project Experiments in which people are the test subjects Maze experiments (such as mouse mazes). Medical experiments on animals or humans (such as regeneration of Planaria).

While the use of living organisms in a science project is permitted, I strongly discourage students from using live organisms other than plants (bacteria permitted on a case by case basis).

Building or assembling a kit or model unless this apparatus is to be used to collect data or measurements to answer your question. For example, you may not build a volcano or solar system model AS the project.

Use the same activity that you or someone you know did in a previous class unless you expand it, change the focus, or ask new questions about it.

Surveys Consumer product testing.

SafetyDuring the in-school science fair and the exhibit anything that can be hazardous to the public or to the participants is prohibited, specifically:

Animals Flames, open or concealed

Flammable solids, liquids, or gases Hazardous organisms Any device, equipment, or liquid that could be hazardous Chemicals and/or their empty containers Batteries with open-top cells Aerosol cans or household solvents Sharp items such as knives, needles, or syringes Peanuts or peanut products Latex products

Note: Although these items are prohibited for display, you may conduct your experiment and provide drawings, pictures, and/or videos of the results. If you are unsure whether any display item may be prohibited, please check directly with your teacher.

Independent “Controlled Experiment” Science Project

REQUIREMENT 1

Written Report must include the following in this order:

1. Research Question

2. Formal Hypothesis

3. Description of Experimental Group (sketch/photos included as appropriate)

4. Description of Control Group (sketch/photos included as appropriate)

5. Description of constants

6. List of Materials

7. Summary of procedures – list the steps you followed to complete your investigation. Write the steps in the order you completed them. Check the list carefully for accuracy. Include drawings or photographs to help clarify your procedures. This should have enough detail so that someone else could duplicate your experiment.

NOTE THAT YOU MUST DO A MINUMUM OF 3 TRIALS. The more times you repeat the experiment, the more reliable your results will be. Be sure to include data from all trials. You can take photos to document your work as you go.

8. Two different photographs of you collecting data/performing the experiment

9. All Data organized in charts, tables and/or graphs

10. Analysis and Conclusion paragraph(s)Write a paragraph summarizing the results; refer to your data charts etc.

a. Explain, using your data, whether your hypothesis was correct.

b. Provide a scientific explanation for your results (this may require some research – be sure to properly cite resources, avoid plagiarism and create a bibliography as taught in ILA).

c. In one or two sentences explain how you could have improved the design of your experiment or what you would change if doing it again.

d. In one or two sentences describe a new investigation you could do to further your understanding of the science behind your experiment.

11. Your hand-written data collection notes

REQUIREMENT 2 - POSTER FOR THE SCIENCE FAIR

Poster MUST include the following for full credit:

1. Project Title

2. Purpose

3. Formal Hypothesis

4. Description of experimental group – include photographs

5. Description of control group (if needed) – include photographs

6. Summary of Procedures

7. List of Materials

8. Important data organized in charts and/or graphs

9. Major conclusion – support or refute your hypothesis and why

10. Photos of you performing the experiment and of your results (as appropriate)

11. Organization and creativity

12. Large enough font size for headings and text for easy reading

General Guidelines for the layout of a science fair tri-fold poster

Example of a well-organized and attractive science project poster

From sciencebuddies.org

Judging Rubric Name ___________________________

Criteria 4 3 2 1 score

Written Report: Use of scientific

method

Student designed and conducted a controlled experiment that meets or exceeds all requirements

Student designed & conducted a controlled experiment that meets nearly all requirements

Experiment does not meet many of the requirements of a controlled experiment

Student did not design or conduct a controlled experiment

x 4 =

Originality and/or

complexity of the project

Original idea and/or meets/exceeds 8th grade level work

Meets 8th grade level expectations

Does not fully meet 8th grade level expectations

No originality and well below 8th grade level work

Formal Hypothesis

Perfectly constructed formal hypothesis that reflects the purpose of the experiment

Well-constructed formal hypothesis that reflects the purpose of the experiment

Formal hypothesis with errors in its construction, but reflects the purpose of the experiment

No hypothesis or the hypothesis does not reflect the purpose of the experiment

X 2 =

Report includes 2

photos

2 appropriate photos were included

1 appropriate photo was included

Photos included but not as required

No photos

Hand-written data

All hand-written data collected turned in

x x Data missing or no data turned in

Investigation trials

Experiment was performed 3 times or more and/or sample size was exceptional.

Experiment wasperformed 2 timesand/or sample sizewas adequate

Experiment wasperformed 1 timeand/or sample sizewas minimal

Experiment wasperformedincompletely

Presents data using tables, graphs and

charts

Tables, graphs, and charts accurately and neatly display data.Metric system used appropriately

Tables, graphs,and chartsaccurately displaydata

Some tables,graphs, and chartsare included, and may or may not be neatly done

Lacks tables,graphs, and charts that should be with the report

x 3 =

Analysis and Conclusion

Data are well-summarized and logical conclusions are presented

Summary of the data is included and logical conclusions are presented

Summary of data and a reasonable conclusion is presented

There is no or very little presentation of data and logical conclusions

x 3 =

Display Board Quality

Meets all requirements: scientific method displayed in a very organized, creative and neat manner. All charts/pictures labeled.

Meets most requirements: scientific method and charts/pictures included; somewhat organized and neatly done

Partly meets requirements; missing parts of scientific method and/or messy display

Very few requirements met x 4 =

Total (80) =

SCIENCE PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM Name _____________________________

The question I plan to investigate in my experiment:

Does this topic meet my teacher’s restrictions and requirements? Yes / No

Is this experiment something that is enough of a challenge for an 8th grader, but simple enough that you can do it by yourself? Yes / No

Can you change only one variable at a time, and control other factors that might influence your experiment (for example, all plants using same type of soil)? Yes / No

Dependent Variable:

Independent Variable:

Formal Hypothesis:

Do you have time to run three trials of your experiment before the due date of the project? Yes / No

Is your experiment safe to perform Yes / No

Do you have, or will you be able to get all the supplies you will need to complete this experiment?List the supplies:

Yes / No

What do you already know about the problem/question?

I have discussed the project topic and the checklist with my parent(s) and I am willing to commit to following through on this project. Signature ______________________________